“Eating For Two” When Pregnant Puts Baby at Risk, Says Study

Researchers found that babies are six times more likely to get Type 2 diabetes later in life if their mothers had gestational diabetes when they were pregnant, reports Mirror.co.uk. This is yet another reason why the old saying that “eating for two” when pregnant is strongly discouraged among pregnant women. Add that to the already identified risks of the baby having low blood pressure at birth, and being obese when they grow up.

An article on Philstar.com reports that a study by the Kaiser Permanent Center for Health Research indicates that Filipinas were found to have a high risk of developing gestational diabetes. Characterized by having high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, gestational diabetes puts the mother-to-be at risk for preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), pre-term birth, C-section delivery, as well as developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Are you at risk for gestational diabetes? An article on SmartParenting.com.ph lists these risk factors:Studies show that between 3 to 10% of women in the U.S., for instance, develop gestational diabetes. Incidence of GDM is generally higher among the following demographic groups:• Women who are 30 years or older• Women who are obese or with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30• Women with a family history of diabetes• Women who have high blood pressure• Women who have previously had GDM, have previously given birth to a large baby (8 pounds or heavier), have given birth to children with birth defects or have previously experienced a stillbirth (baby has died in the womb)

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Dr. David Richmond, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the U.K., says, “Changes to lifestyle, including diet and ­exercise, can have positive effects.” Pregnant women should eat a healthy diet, which includes a variety of different foods to get the right balance of nutrients you and your baby need. Pregnant women should also engage in moderate exercise, such as walking and swimming, or prenatal yoga. Pregnant women are encouraged to monitor their glucose levels when pregnant, and to develop a meal plan with the help of their doctor or a nutritionist-dietician. The average weight gain for pregnant women should only be within 25 to 30 pounds.